说明
The traffic signal at the intersection of Division street and Atwater/Clifton seems "confused" when it comes to directing traffic headed uphill towards Griffin.
This signal does have the ability (and uses is when the mood strikes) to give traffic wishing to make a left turn onto Atwater a green arrow to make their turn before turning green and letting cars going down Division to cross the intersection. This is the way it SHOULD be so those making a left turn can safely do so.
However, for reasons that boggle the mind, I've witnessed this signal only give a green arrow randomly. There is no other way to explain it. Doesn't matter if cars are waiting on the other side of the intersection or not. It will give a green arrow for a left on Atwater before turning green for the entire intersection, then the next time it won't, then maybe later it will. I can't tell if there is a timer that is set to only present the arrow at certain times but doing that would make no sense.
This is a hazard because if you have gotten the green arrow in the past, you think you are going to get one and could turn left when you see "green" not realizing you have not been giving the right of way via the arrow and collide with cars that have been released in the opposite direction. Yes, it would be your fault for not giving right of way to the cars heading towards Pershing, but if the signal does give you an arrow to turn first sometimes... confusion is sure to bloom.
Either the green arrow for left turn MUST appear every time this signal turns green or the arrow needs to be disabled. Having it display without any set pattern is asking for an accident.
11 评论s
Planner (注册用户)
The advanced left arrow is tripped by a sensor under the road. It is not automatically engaged each cycle. If the approaching vehicle does not enter the stacking lane in sufficient time (the cycle has already initiated) or has not pulled all the way to the stop bar painted in the road, the advance left signal will not intervene.
I observed this light in operation this morning and it appears to be functioning properly. I did observe one car racing up the hill expecting the advance left signal that did not reach the sensor in time and did not trip the cycle. I have also observed many cars not pulled far enough forward to trip the cycle who have sat there for several cycles until they inched forward.
It is possible that the sensor loop under the road was damaged this winter by heaving or salt (many were this year) but it does appear to be operating within normal parameters when observed.
Signal is owned by the City of Ansonia. Contact their Police Department Traffic Division with concerns.
Ryan Healey (注册用户)
I trust the City of Ansonia is monitoring this site (as the mayor's office has said it's a valuable resource) and will send someone out to inspect the signal.
Perhaps since this signal is at the top of a hill a tripped sensor wasn't the brightest move. Many vehicles are slugging going up that steel grade so them pulling right up to a sensor they don't even know exists or how to trip is silly at best. Is there a line or sign to show where cars should stop?
You observed the same problem this morning so if drivers are expecting an advance left signal it seems smart to make sure there is ALWAYS an advance left signal before someone is killed smashing into a car making a left turn when no advance signal came on but they assumed they were getting one because they had before. If you get one a few times you assume there is one.
This same stretch of road has another flaw at the bottom of the hill near the Mobil station. I know this was redesigned about a decade ago, but why on Earth a right turn lane was not included escapes all logic. Not only does it cause cars to back up Division because those turning right can't form their own queue at the light, many seem to feel the need to stop and look to see if it's safe to turn right on green before doing so, causing far fewer cars to be able to cross the intersection before it turns red again than should be.
I'd like to see someone also reconfigure the exit to Mobil so there are lanes to not only turn left towards CVS, but right toward Shop Rite. Traffic flow would be greatly improved, especially at peak times.
Planner (注册用户)
The Stop Bar is the thick white painted line from the curb to the center. All vehicles should pull up to this line at all intersections.
Detection circuits under the pavement exit at virtually every interconnected intersection. Over the last few years these have been replaced with video detection that sense queued and approaching vehicles on most state projects but very few local roads.
Technically, you cannot exit Mobil or KFC toward CVS as you would need to cross the double yellow line. It is tolerated but still illegal.. The new Cumberland Farms circulation plan should help things.
As for the queuing and stacking lanes on Division St., those are limited by the required length to stack and the ability to align with the opposite side of the intersection. Yes, three dedicated directional lanes in each direction would move cars faster but in limited space where only 2 lanes are feasible, a right & through lane is preferable to a left & through lane.
Ryan Healey (注册用户)
Planner, if all vehicles knew what a "Stop Bar" was they would clearly be pulling up to it to trigger a turn arrow and this problem would not exist.
I suggest a "Stop Here" sign or something that shows cars when reaching the top of that hill where they should stop to trigger the turn arrow or we simply make the arrow turn on each time the light goes green. Easy fix.
Planner (注册用户)
Thankfully, almost all new signals are now being installed with video detection that recognizes a car approaching from farther away and you don't have to be up against the stop bar.
Sorry, I thought most people knew about loop detection. It has been in use at most signalized intersections for almost 50 years. You can tell its there by the tell-tale rectangle that looks like it was applied with black rubberized paint that is supposed to seal the saw cut in the asphalt.
Paula Kulmann (客人)
Planner, if "most people knew about loop detection" then you would not have witnessed yourself a car "expecting the advance left signal " and not getting one as the OP reported. Clearly, people are expecting a green arrow if they have gotten it before.
I do not mean to offend, but you post all over this site as if you are some official of either Derby or Ansonia who speaks with authority on issues posted and has the ability to take action. However, I don't see you posting SOLUTIONS or speaking to your efforts to resolve anything.
Planner (注册用户)
I do not purport to provide solutions to everything. In my opinion there is no problem here; this is how traffic signals work. You are supposed to follow the signal light, not anticipate that you are going to get a particular cycle.
I'm sorry if you don't find my answers useful, but why are you so angry at me? Don't I have as much right to post my opinion here as you do?
Michael Raymond (注册用户)
I hate to see people bicker here. Of course, city officials not chiming in or acknowledging they are reading these posts can be frustrating as it looks like nothing is being accomplished.
However, I have seen things get corrected after being posted here so someone in power is watching.
I THINK the point is the signal may be technically working properly but the fact that so many vehicles do not pull far enough up to trigger the green arrow or often think they will get an arrow and make a left turn when they don't have right of way (dangerous!) shows a need to put markings on the road and signage up to educate motorists.
So your are correct. It's just how do we train drivers to understand where they need to stop, etc.
Ryan Healey (注册用户)
I am going to add I experienced a problem this very intersection this morning. I pulled up to the light traveling up from Pershing. A car was in front of me at the signal (which was red) but they had stopped about 6 feet from the white line. A full car length if not more!
Knowing what planner has shared, I did what I didn't want to. I pulled as far up to that car's bumper as I could. Sure enough, it made them uncomfortable and they pulled up to the line, triggering the green arrow for us.
I totally understand now how this light is designed, but clearly people don't get where you need to be stopped to cause the green arrow to be triggered. I'd love a solution.
Planner (注册用户)
These are installed in many places.
Michael Raymond (注册用户)